SERVICES

Young children notice racial differences early, yet many adults feel uncertain about when, or how to talk about race in developmentally appropriate ways. This introductory workshop provides a supportive, research-informed foundation for caregivers and early childhood educators who are beginning (or re-grounding) their practice of engaging young children in conversations about race and difference.

 

Using the I Can / You Can Framework, participants will learn why silence can unintentionally communicate powerful messages, and how simple, intentional language and representation can foster healthy ethnic-racial identity development from infancy through early childhood. The workshop emphasizes awareness, confidence-building, and practical entry-level strategies rather than assessment or evaluation.

Participants will:

• Learn how infants and toddlers notice ethnicity and race and begin forming early biases

• Build comfort using clear, age-appropriate language to name ethnic-racial differences

• Practice responding to children’s observations with curiosity instead of avoidance

• Explore how materials, books, toys, and environments act as ethnic-racial socialization messages

• Identify concrete strategies they can begin using right away ​

​​

This session is ideal for participants who are new to talking about race with young children, seeking a shared language, or looking for a practical starting point grounded in developmental science.